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**Aryan** · 01-22-2009, 10:32 PM

Topic Approved.

**desideep** · 01-23-2009, 03:17 AM

hmm 500 AVL would be a better choice cause it still holds a bit of Bullet in it. but the TBTS would be a wiser choice with less break downs and more efficient. though i have never tried any of the above. for sure they are better performers than a CI. But they both lose on being a comple bullet (Dont want another discussion about this, this is my personal opinion.)

thanks.

Desi Deep

**sai_ace** · 01-23-2009, 10:33 AM

this is a noob question .. can somebody explain the difference between Electra 5s and the Machismo 350??

**shadez** · 01-23-2009, 10:53 AM

TBTS is a better option if you are switching from apache and dont know the bull much. lesser trouble. but its a difficult comparison none the less...
btw, how tall are you? that matters a lot.

**prabhubravo** · 01-23-2009, 01:34 PM

500LB
1) Powerful
2) U feel the thump
3) Steadiness
* mileage of 25-30kmpl

TBTS
1) mileage of 40-45kmpl
2) less troubles
3) wont feel the heat on the legs as compared to 500LB
* Shocks are so soft so If with pillion then the reat shocks should be tightened a bit (ofcourse its trivial)

But the choice really depends on ur taste.

**need4torque** · 01-23-2009, 02:54 PM

Originally posted by sai_ace View Post

this is a noob question .. can somebody explain the difference between Electra 5s and the Machismo 350??

Sai, The Electra 5s comes with the traditional CI or Cast Iron Engine ( which is also found doing duty on the STd 350 and Electra 4s). The 5s has Electronic TCI ignition and left side gear shifter and most importantly a more positive shifting 5 speed gearbox.

The Machismo 350 comes with the same 5 speed gearbox with the shifter on the left side, TCI ignition etc but the main difference is that it has the more recent aluminium engine designed by AVL. This engine revs up more quickly in comparison to the lazy, unstressed nature of the CI. However, it does not have the characteristic solid thump of the CI engine.
Visually, the Machismo is differentiated by a Chromed fuel tank and round tail light.
Hope that helps.

**sai_ace** · 01-23-2009, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by need4torque View Post

Sai, The Electra 5s comes with the traditional CI or Cast Iron Engine ( which is also found doing duty on the STd 350 and Electra 4s). The 5s has Electronic TCI ignition and left side gear shifter and most importantly a more positive shifting 5 speed gearbox.

The Machismo 350 comes with the same 5 speed gearbox with the shifter on the left side, TCI ignition etc but the main difference is that it has the more recent aluminium engine designed by AVL. This engine revs up more quickly in comparison to the lazy, unstressed nature of the CI. However, it does not have the characteristic solid thump of the CI engine.
Visually, the Machismo is differentiated by a Chromed fuel tank and round tail light.
Hope that helps.

hey thanks man,,,, i am starting to fall in love with bullets all of a sudden....

especially the machismo 350 with its chrome tank and the classic which will never be released in india....

**need4torque** · 01-23-2009, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by sai_ace View Post

hey thanks man,,,, i am starting to fall in love with bullets all of a sudden....

especially the machismo 350 with its chrome tank and the classic which will never be released in india....

Anytime bro. You can always get a chrome tank fitted without hassles, aftermarket.
And for the Classic, you are not the only who s letting out a sigh and wishing that it was available here(and affordable!)

**naurquessir** · 01-23-2009, 07:54 PM

hey thanks for the replies mates.
@ shades: im 6 feet tall mate.
hmmm so the FE of 500 AVL is jus 25-35. so then i think i'll better test drive both. im kind of leaning towards the 500 machismo on power and looks. but after hearing the fuel economy im made to think more as the fuel plays a biig part todays economy. donno when its prices are going to rise again. but then lets see. BTW thanks for the responses.

**saif71184** · 01-23-2009, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by shadez View Post

TBTS is a better option if you are switching from apache and dont know the bull much. lesser trouble. but its a difficult comparison none the less....

Thunderbird TwinSpark is a much better option for you since you are new to the bull

.

**blackfire_9** · 02-03-2009, 10:16 PM

Originally posted by naurquessir View Post

hey thanks for the replies mates.
@ shades: im 6 feet tall mate.
hmmm so the FE of 500 AVL is jus 25-35. so then i think i'll better test drive both. im kind of leaning towards the 500 machismo on power and looks. but after hearing the fuel economy im made to think more as the fuel plays a biig part todays economy. donno when its prices are going to rise again. but then lets see. BTW thanks for the responses.

Hi naurquessir,

Buddy, you already have the key considerations with you here, but then in terms of handling I would have to reccomend the AVL 500, if you plan on using the bike mostly for city. The riding of the TBTS, no doubt, is good, but is more & better suited to the highways & you could find it a little difficult using that in city traffic.

On the other hand, there has been news going around for quite some time now that these engines are going to be shelved, both the CI & AVL. At least one member of the CI family is already gone (Electra 4s). So, talking on this front, I would reccomend a TBTS.

Plus, the newer TBTS (the one that has buffed engine, as initial ones did not) has good sound as well. It is definately not comparable to the CI, but is good to hear. The earlier TBTS, the intial ones were poorer in this front & also had a lot of vibes. I can say this because I had ridden one about 3-4 months back.

Take care.

Happy thumping,
Prakhar

**sticky12** · 02-04-2009, 04:46 PM

Newer TBTS????

BTW Can u plz explain a bit more about the Newer TBTS & the Older TBTS version. Are there any special Features which differentiate both. actually My TBTS will be delivered to me on this Friday... Other Points to be checked Prior Buying would also be a great help.. hope U reply ASAP!!!!

**skipper** · 02-04-2009, 04:53 PM

sticky : the new Thunderbird is called the TBTS : ThunderBird TwinSpark
The new bike comes with major changes like twin spark set up, unit construction engine etc. The old T'bird was not called a TBTS for obvious reasons.
The new Tbird is quicker, smoother and more fuel efficient than the old one.

u may read this - Thunderbird Twin Spark - Sparked!

**blackfire_9** · 02-05-2009, 12:21 AM

Originally posted by sticky12 View Post

BTW Can u plz explain a bit more about the Newer TBTS & the Older TBTS version. Are there any special Features which differentiate both. actually My TBTS will be delivered to me on this Friday... Other Points to be checked Prior Buying would also be a great help.. hope U reply ASAP!!!!

Hi sticky12,

Hey buddy, there's no difference between the two TBTS per se, but then just that the engine parts were not buffed on the earlier one (read as the intial few bikes). That was the only physical difference I found in them. But then other than this there are no internal differences, although for some reason the sound of the secnd one (newer, with buffed engine parts) was better. May be they have done something to the silencer or maybe the first one was crappy. But it is the same opinion I have heard from a few friends.

As for points to keep in mind, just make sure that the bike doesn't have any sort of sounds other the normal sound of the engine. Move it back & forth, & it should not have any sound. Ride it & make sure that it is not swaying to one side or other & that it is not leaking from any where.

I feel that's pretty much it & rest is upto your luck (hehe).

Take care.

Happy thumping,
Prakhar

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